Prevalence and correlates of resistance training in a regional Australian population

BACKGROUND: The core components of physical activity, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, balance, and flexibility, can provide many health benefits and potentially slow declines associated with aging. National health authorities have widely promoted aerobic exercise message to the public, although the promotion of resistance training has received far less attention. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this research was to assess the prevalence of resistance training in a sample of adults living in regional Australia. DESIGN: A Computer -Assisted -Telephone-Interview (CATI) survey (n=1230) conducted by Population Research Laboratory at Central Queensland University performed a survey of Queensland adults in October-November 2006. Respondents were asked to report the frequency with which they engaged in resistance training. PARTICIPANTS: Respondents were 18 years of age or older that could be contacted by direct-dialled, land-based telephone service. A telephone database using a computer program to select, with replacement, a simple random sample of phone numbers selected respondents. RESULTS: Almost 14% of the population did some form of gym-based resistance training in the week prior to the survey. There was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in participation levels with age. Participation was highest amongst the youngest 18-34 year olds (23.8%) steadily declining with age to a low of 7% in the 55 years and older age group. There was no significant association between genders and participation in resistance training. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the need to increase overall education on the benefits of resistance training with an emphasis among targeted adult populations to increase participation in resistance training.